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posted 5/28/24 | 28th May, 2024

I never leave home without travel insurance. After more than 15 years on the road, I know firsthand how important it is. Not only has it helped me deal with lost luggage, canceled flights and medical emergencies, but it has also helped countless friends and readers of my blog.

However, travel insurance is a boring subject to read about. Nobody likes comparing plans and reading policies. I am included. It’s the least exciting part of trip planning.

Fortunately, finding a plan and policy that fits your needs and budget has never been easier. More and more companies are making it quick and easy to get a quote, sign up for a plan, read the fine print and file a claim.

One of them is the company freely.

What is Freely?

freely is a travel insurance company and safety app. Like many insurance companies, it provides coverage so that if something happens (for a covered reason) while you’re on the road, you’re whole. Its base plan includes all the essentials I look for in an insurance policy, including emergency medical care, emergency evacuation coverage, trip interruption, lost baggage and 24/7 support.

But Freely also does some things differently.

Freely keeps its Aadhaar policy affordable by including extra coverage you don’t need. But you can upgrade, for example, to get extra coverage for your gear if you’re bringing valuable electronics or sports equipment with you. This is a big plus since most travelers bring a phone or laptop with them (often both).

With most other plans, your gear is only covered up to $500 USD per item. Lets you freely add to your plan to cover your gear up to $1,500 USD per item.

But what’s really useful (and unique) is Freely’s Daily Boost supplement.

Daily Boosts are insurance add-ons for things you don’t need every day, such as coverage to go skiing, rent a car or go skydiving. Paying for these add-ons only when you need them (on a day-to-day basis) ensures your policy is less expensive overall — but you get the coverage you need when you need it.

For example, snow or adventure activities cost only $1 USD per day, while rental car coverage is $15 USD per day (price varies by state). Whether you’re only going skiing for a few days of your trip or aren’t renting a vehicle for your entire vacation, Daily Boost makes sure you’re not paying for something you don’t need.

What does freedom cover?

freely The policies have a very wide range of coverage. Currently, plans include coverage for the following:

Emergency medical expenses
This is the most important component of any insurance plan. It will come in handy if you fall down a flight of stairs and break your leg, or if you get hit by a car, get sick, etc. and end up in the hospital. In short, if you are referred to a hospital or doctor, this offers. You emergency medical coverage.

I always recommend that travelers have at least $100,000 USD in coverage because hospital bills add up quickly. Offers $500,000 USD in coverage for free on the base plan. It is a high limit and can cover you for everything that the road throws your way.

Emergency evacuation and repatriation
Medical and emergency evacuations can be incredibly expensive. This may be needed if you are injured while hiking and need to be airlifted to a hospital, or if you need to be repatriated to your country.

Incidents like this can cost upwards of $250,000 USD, enough to bankrupt most travelers. Fortunately, Freely’s base policy covers up to $1,000,000 USD for emergency evacuation. Many other insurance companies offer that if you need an emergency evacuation.

Emergency dental expenses
I always appreciate a travel insurance policy that covers emergency dental care. Freely offers $1,000 USD for emergency coverage on its base plan. This doesn’t mean you can go for a dental check-up if you have a cavity or need a cleaning, but you can see a dentist if you experience an unexpected emergency or sudden pain during your trip.

Accidental death and dismemberment
No one wants to think about the worst case scenario of dying on the road (I sure don’t) but knowing that your insurance policy can cover these eventualities gives a lot of peace of mind. For example, the policy pays $50,000 USD for accidental death, which (not to be too bad) will help your loved ones if the worst happens.

trip interruption
When you miss part of your trip or have to return home early due to eligible unforeseen circumstances (such as illness or injury), Freely will reimburse you up to 150% of the trip cost. Considering how often flights are delayed and how often natural disasters strike, this is a solid addition and not included in many affordable plans.

Lost, stolen or damaged goods
Freely’s coverage for lost or stolen goods is similar to other companies, with a per-item limit of $500 USD and a total of $2,500 USD. While that’s good for a lot of gear, like basic digital cameras or sports equipment, it doesn’t cover the full cost of a laptop or more heavy-duty cameras.

However, as I mentioned above, you can purchase add-ons for additional coverage. This will increase your baggage limit to $1,500 USD per-item and the total limit to $5,000 USD. Your electronic and professional equipment coverage is $2,000 USD, which provides substantial coverage for your phone or laptop.

While the cost of these upgrades will vary, using the example below (a month-long trip to Thailand), the add-on will cost around $23 USD. It’s super cheap.

Delay in baggage
This is a nice perk for those who don’t travel carry-on only. Essentially, if your baggage is delayed for 12 hours or more, you will be eligible for up to $250 USD to purchase necessary clothing and personal items (within reasonable limits). This benefit can be increased to $100 USD with a baggage upgrade.

Note: As with any insurance plan, you’ll want to read the fine print of your policy for more information. Additionally, details may differ depending on where you live, so always double check when researching just to be safe.

What is not covered?

freely Primarily geared towards covering medical emergencies and basic travel mishaps (such as delays and lost luggage). It is good practice to tell you what is not covered, such as the following:

• Alcohol- or drug-related incidents
• Any electronics over $500 USD (without add-ons)
• Certain high-risk activities (eg, driving in motor vehicle competition)
• Participation in professional or amateur athletics competitions
• Damages due to pre-existing medical conditions.

If you’re not sure if an activity you want to do is covered, or want more information about something that isn’t covered, contact Freely directly.

Currently, Freely’s policies are only available to residents of the US and Australia. The coverage described in this article is specific to US manufacturing.

How much does free cost?

You can get an online quote at freely.me In less than a minute. You only need to enter basic information, such as where you live, where you’re going, how long you’re traveling for, and how much your trip will cost.

For example, a 30-year-old would pay about $40 USD for base coverage from the US to Thailand for one month. That’s for a trip worth around $2,000 USD and doesn’t include any extras or daily boosts.

Click here to get a quote from Freely.

One thing I like about Freely when it comes to getting a quote is that they tell you what isn’t covered. Many companies simply suggest it (ie, if it’s not mentioned, it’s not covered).

Freely, on the other hand, clearly adds reminders of what’s not covered when you’re looking for a policy, so you can make sure your expectations are accurate.

Freely’s virtues

• 24/7 emergency assistance
• Emergency medical coverage
• Emergency evacuation and trip interruption coverage
• Coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage
• Covid coverage
• Daily add-ons are available for additional gear and activities

Cons of Freely

• Available in US and Australia only
• App download required

For whom is freedom – and not for?

freely It is very affordable, making it a solid choice for backpackers and budget travelers. Long-term travelers who are more flexible with their plans will also appreciate being able to update their policy directly in the app.

It’s also a great choice for adventure travelers as you can add daily boosts for things like skydiving, scuba diving, etc.

Freely’s app also sends safety alerts and Covid updates, making it a good option for those concerned about safety issues. Because Freedom relies on an app, they are able to pinpoint your location to ensure you receive important local safety updates. I can’t think of another insurance company that offers this kind of service, ensuring your peace of mind, no matter where you go.

On the other hand, Freely can be frustrating for anyone who doesn’t want to download and use an app. Most of Freely’s services (making a claim, changing or updating your policy) are only available in the app. While this makes it streamlined and convenient in some ways, those who want to be able to access and manage their accounts on a computer may want to choose a different company.

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I think buying travel insurance should be a simple and straightforward process. Finding a policy doesn’t have to be completely mind-numbing or time-consuming. And while Freely is still fairly new to the market, it has a lot of potential. Its app helps you find the information you need, and Extra and Daily Boost add customization, something I hope more companies adopt. I think it’s a good company to check out when you’re shopping around for a plan.

Click here to learn more and get a quote today!